Klitschko: Euro 2012 can change Ukraine

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Euro 2012 finals will be a test of Ukraine's European ambition, says Vitali Klitschko

Boxing champion is also a politician in his homeland, and has big hopes for next year

He admits there were concerns but Ukrainians rallied to meet tournament commitments

The 40-year-old insists the infrastructure is ready for June 8-July 1 football event

Ukrainian boxing star Vitali Klitschko hopes that co-hosting football's European Championship next year will help his country's bid to become part of the European Union.

The former Soviet republic has moved towards membership in recent years, and is now covered by the European Neighborhood Policy.

The tournament will be held in Poland and Ukraine from June 8-July 1, and the countries are on track to be ready despite early fears over a lack of infrastructure and slow construction work.

"It's our chance to show the whole world we are a European country, with our mentality, with our history," Klitschko, who is also a politician in his homeland, told CNN ahead of Friday's draw for the 16 competing nations.

"With sport we are also a European country. We have to make a lot of change in Ukraine, (such as) life standards, and we will not automatically be a European country. The whole country has to support this very important event in our history."